wouldn't usually bring up power rankings, but...

The Raptors' new starting lineup is the league's best defensive lineup that has played at least 100 minutes. But Rudy Gay missed Saturday's OT loss in Milwaukee with back spasms and Jonas Valanciunas was benched for Andrea Bargnani. It can't be because Valanciunas was shooting too much. The rookie had a total of just 24 field goal attempts in his previous eight games.

a) Nice to hear mention of the fact that the current starting unit is (excluding Bucks game), as I suspected just from watching, stellar defensively.

b) Just seems that everybody is wondering what exactly JV has to do to get on the floor....?

Please play guys who earn it Casey. Please play lineups that make sense, and actually take advantage of matchups that you can use, rather than create favorable ones for the other team. I wonder how many more times we'll have to see a Bargs-Fields frontcourt...? and I wonder if we can get a shot of the other teams' eyes' lighting up every time we do...?

a) Nice to hear mention of the fact that the current starting unit is (excluding Bucks game), as I suspected just from watching, stellar defensively.

b) Just seems that everybody is wondering what exactly JV has to do to get on the floor....?

Please play guys who earn it Casey. Please play lineups that make sense, and actually take advantage of matchups that you can use, rather than create favorable ones for the other team. I wonder how many more times we'll have to see a Bargs-Fields frontcourt...? and I wonder if we can get a shot of the other teams' eyes' lighting up every time we do...?

You guys need to send this to Casey. Everybody seems to notice this except him.

"Analytics DON'T work at all. It's some crap that people that are really smart made up to get in the game. Bunch of smart guys who have never played. The NBA is about TALENT" - Charles Barkley #Truth

I still think theres a deeper reason here than what is on the surface.

Unless Casey really is as f'ed up as we all think he is. Next season we'd all be in awe in hindsight as to how good a puppeteer Casey and BC was this season. I hope to God i'm right.

It's damn near impossible that Casey is not aware of this information. He's a stats guy, he knows. Somebody in his coaching staff would know. And for him to put Bargnani in the starting lineup at the most crucial of games within this season is just as reasonable as Area 51. It just doesnt add up.

They want to get rid of that OKC pick so they can use their 2015 first rounder in the off-season. Plain and simple.

I still think theres a deeper reason here than what is on the surface.

Unless Casey really is as f'ed up as we all think he is. Next season we'd all be in awe in hindsight as to how good a puppeteer Casey and BC was this season. I hope to God i'm right.

It's damn near impossible that Casey is not aware of this information. He's a stats guy, he knows. Somebody in his coaching staff would know. And for him to put Bargnani in the starting lineup at the most crucial of games within this season is just as reasonable as Area 51. It just doesnt add up.

They want to get rid of that OKC pick so they can use their 2015 first rounder in the off-season. Plain and simple.

And the best way to do so? Lose 3 games in a row, including the milwaukee game to officially stop the playoff chase. Its better than have to throw a bunch of games later after more hype has been circulated about the playoffs. BC and DC are brilliant to dropping to 9th NOW rather than at the end. Now all we have to do is play and develop our potential with no pressure, fill our pick debts, and start next year with a B-line to the playoffs.

I still think theres a deeper reason here than what is on the surface.

Unless Casey really is as f'ed up as we all think he is. Next season we'd all be in awe in hindsight as to how good a puppeteer Casey and BC was this season. I hope to God i'm right.

It's damn near impossible that Casey is not aware of this information. He's a stats guy, he knows. Somebody in his coaching staff would know. And for him to put Bargnani in the starting lineup at the most crucial of games within this season is just as reasonable as Area 51. It just doesnt add up.

They want to get rid of that OKC pick so they can use their 2015 first rounder in the off-season. Plain and simple.

ah, a conspiracy theorist. i like.

this should be interesting

A key that opens many locks is a master key, but a lock that gets open by many keys is just a shitty lock

I still think theres a deeper reason here than what is on the surface.

Unless Casey really is as f'ed up as we all think he is. Next season we'd all be in awe in hindsight as to how good a puppeteer Casey and BC was this season. I hope to God i'm right.

It's damn near impossible that Casey is not aware of this information. He's a stats guy, he knows. Somebody in his coaching staff would know. And for him to put Bargnani in the starting lineup at the most crucial of games within this season is just as reasonable as Area 51. It just doesnt add up.

They want to get rid of that OKC pick so they can use their 2015 first rounder in the off-season. Plain and simple.

Actually as soon as the pick is made by OKC, they can trade their 2014.

I still hold out hope for Boozer and a 1st on draft night. In the end it would have been like Raps 1st, Forbes, Bargnani for Bulls 1st, Boozer, Lowry. **fingers crossed**

I still think theres a deeper reason here than what is on the surface.

Unless Casey really is as f'ed up as we all think he is. Next season we'd all be in awe in hindsight as to how good a puppeteer Casey and BC was this season. I hope to God i'm right.

It's damn near impossible that Casey is not aware of this information. He's a stats guy, he knows. Somebody in his coaching staff would know. And for him to put Bargnani in the starting lineup at the most crucial of games within this season is just as reasonable as Area 51. It just doesnt add up.

They want to get rid of that OKC pick so they can use their 2015 first rounder in the off-season. Plain and simple.

I sure hope you're right! I agree. I mean no one is that stupid enough to play Bargnani when you need defense and Casey being a defensive coach, is definitely not stupid to do that....

I sure hope you're right! I agree. I mean no one is that stupid enough to play Bargnani when you need defense and Casey being a defensive coach, is definitely not stupid to do that....

LOL ..."come hell or high water"?

What was Casey's excuse for playing Bargs over ED or JV to close out games earlier in the season?? Many earlier games we just needed rebounds or a defensive stop and yet AB would close out games (even though he couldnt buy a basket in the 4th Q).